Orthopaedic surgery can be a major turning point for an injured or arthritic pet. It can stabilise an injury, reduce pain, and give them a real opportunity to move more comfortably again. However, surgery is only one part of the recovery journey. After the operation and the initial period of post-operative rest, pets still need to rebuild strength, confidence, and normal movement. Rehabilitation plays a vital role in this process, supporting the body as it heals and helping animals return to comfortable, functional daily activity.

What Surgery Does and What It Doesn’t Do

Orthopaedic surgery is an essential part of veterinary care. It can stabilise fractures and unstable joints, repair torn tissues, implant medical devices, and remove structures that are generating pain. What surgery cannot do, however, is restore muscle strength, coordination, or movement quality on its own. Muscle loss, altered gait patterns, and protective behaviours such as fear or guarding commonly develop following surgery and periods of restricted activity. Rehabilitation addresses these issues, bridging the gap between surgical repair and functional recovery. (1)

What Human Orthopaedics Has Taught Us About Rehabilitation

In human medicine, prolonged bed rest was once routinely prescribed after orthopaedic surgery, but this approach largely fell out of favour by the mid-20th century. We now understand that appropriate, controlled movement plays a critical role in recovery. Progressive loading helps stimulate tissue repair, maintain muscle mass, support bone healing, and rebuild confidence after injury or surgery. (2, 3, 4)

Recovery in animals, however, is not as straightforward. Pets don’t understand what we mean by “take it easy.” The moment they see a ball, a bird, or the postman, they may move as though nothing has happened. Without appropriate boundaries, this can place excessive stress on healing tissues and increase the risk of surgical failure or secondary injury.

This is why periods of crate rest are so important in veterinary recovery. At the same time, prolonged inactivity has its own drawbacks, including muscle loss, joint stiffness, and delayed return to normal movement. The most effective approach sits between these two extremes — protecting healing structures while safely introducing controlled, progressive movement throughout the recovery period. This helps reduce the unwanted side effects of extended rest and supports a more efficient return to comfortable, confident movement. (1, 4, 5)

What Rehabilitation Contributes After Surgery

Post-operative rehabilitation focuses on restoring the things surgery cannot: strength, mobility, coordination, proprioception, and efficient movement patterns. It helps animals relearn how to load and move through the affected limb safely, reduces compensatory movement patterns, and builds confidence as activity levels increase. By addressing these factors early and progressively, rehabilitation can also help reduce the risk of secondary complications associated with prolonged inactivity or altered movement, such as muscle loss, joint stiffness, and delayed functional recovery. Rather than simply waiting for healing to occur, rehabilitation actively guides the recovery process. (5, 6)

Why the Timing of Rehabilitation Matters

One of the most common questions owners ask is when rehabilitation should begin after orthopaedic surgery. Answers vary widely, often ranging from a few weeks post-surgery to after the standard 6–8 week recheck. This variation usually reflects a misunderstanding of what rehabilitation looks like at different stages of healing.

In human orthopaedics, it is normal for patients to begin mobilising joints within 24–48 hours after surgery. This early, controlled movement is not about rushing recovery — it is done because it leads to better outcomes. Early mobilisation has been shown to reduce complications such as delirium, pneumonia, blood clots, urinary tract infections, wound problems, and pressure sores. Movement improves circulation, supports lung function, stimulates tissue healing, and helps patients regain confidence in using the operated limb. (2)

In veterinary patients, rehabilitation can also begin early, provided it is safe, controlled, and appropriate for the individual animal. In an inpatient hospital setting, this is often easier to manage. For outpatients, factors such as the animal’s size, temperament, pain levels, and the owner’s ability to safely handle them all influence when and how rehabilitation begins. For example, a small, calm animal may tolerate early transport to rehabilitation sessions, while a large, energetic dog with limited handling support may benefit from a short delay until further healing has occurred.